Illinois Farmland Auctions Top $4.1M as Midwest Land Values Hold Firm

Jim Rothermich with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers joined us to share the latest on farmland real estate markets across the Midwest.

Jennifer_Campbell_08_31_16_USA_IL_CAMPBELL_FARM_045.jpg

Campbell Farm in Franklin, Ill. (FarmHER Season 1, Ep. 25)

FarmHER, Inc.

DES MOINES, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — Several recent farmland auctions in Illinois posted some notable results. Four tracts were up for sale, and combined, they brought in roughly $4.1 million. Here’s a breakdown:

  • In Bureau County, 120 taxable acres sold for $9,400 per acre, totaling about $1.1 million.
  • In Marshall County, nearly 40 acres sold for approximately $550,000 — or about $14,000 per acre.
  • In McLean County, 118 acres brought $12,000 per acre.
  • In Stark County, 104 acres changed hands for more than $10,000 per acre.

Taken together, the sales offer another snapshot of how farmland real estate values are holding up in parts of the Midwest.

There have been several notable ag land sales across farm country in recent months, as producers weigh opportunities to buy or sell amid shifting market conditions. With multiple factors poised to influence the land market in the months ahead, interest remains high.

Jim Rothermich with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), who tracks land auctions across Iowa, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report with an update on farmland auctions in the Midwest.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Rothermich discussed how market conditions played out in 2025 based on auction data. He also addressed the total number of acres auctioned in 2025, how activity is shaping up so far in 2026, and what opportunities may exist for land buyers heading into the year, as producers assess their next move in a changing market.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Lewie Pugh, EVP of OOIDA, discusses how lowering the age for commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) to 18 could rejuvenate the trucking labor market.
“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
Culver’s Quality Manager Jim Krombach explains why it is vital for brands to invest in the next generation of agriculture through organizations like FFA.
Tidal Grow Agri-Science joins us to celebrate Global Fertilizer Day, sharing how innovation continues to drive American agriculture forward.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging Congress and the Trump Administration to act quickly on behalf of American agriculture.
Better yield measurement means fairer grids, more precise breeding targets, and more dollars for truly efficient cattle.